It appears that Chancellor Rachel Reeves will escape any penalty whatsoever for letting her family home for over a year without the appropriate licence.

Much of last week was spent with Reeves initially saying she had omitted to obtain a selective licence for the home she was letting at £3,200 a week; then she changed the story to say the letting agency concerned had said it would secure the licence, but had failed to do so when a staff member quit. Ultimately the agency apologised to Reeves.

However, other landlords have been fined by the same council – Labour controlled Southwark in the south of the capital – including one last year who was penalised £3,000.

At the time a Southwark council spokesperson said: “This case demonstrates our commitment to holding landlords and letting agents accountable when they fail to meet their legal obligations. Licensing ensures that rented properties in Southwark are safe and well-maintained for our residents. We will continue to take action against those who put tenants at risk.”

However now the council has issued a rather different statement in relation specifically to the Reeves case. 

A spokesperson now says that when the council becomes aware of an unlicensed property it first issues a warning letter advising the landlord that they have 21 days to apply for a licence.

The spokesperson continues: “Enforcement action such as fines are reserved for those who do not apply within that time or where a property is found to be in an unsafe condition.

“Southwark Council requires private landlords to acquire a selective license in order to rent out their homes if they live in specific areas. This is in order to protect tenants and ensure landlords are complying with housing requirements, providing safe, well-maintained homes.

“Selective licenses are acquired by sending applications to the council, which we then assess and approve subject to conditions.”